One thing I’ve had my own journey with and supported many clients in is walking the line of nourishing your body with food to support health and happiness and using food in a specific way to heal.
The good news: you can do both!
Before we dig into this complex topic, let’s define nourishment:
“The food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition.”
I like to start with this because it’s important to remember that when it comes to nourishment it’s not just about food. In order to fully nourish our bodies, we have to remember our mental and emotional health as well.
When it comes to food as nourishment I think it’s important to break it down to a couple categories:
Functional Foods
Functional foods are foods that support specific functions in the body. They contain nutrients that allow us to thrive and live a healthy life.
I share many functional foods on my Instagram and have recommended foods and meal plans for clients. Many people refer to these types of foods as “should’s” meaning they should choose a functional food over a less functional food.
I really dont like describing food as good or bad because because it gives food morality and can make you feel guilty for eating certain food. When in reality all food is just food. You are not a better or worse person because of your food choices.
Fulfilling Foods
Fulfilling foods are foods you enjoy with those you love (or yourself). They are specific to each person, their memories, life experience, etc.
I believe that in order to truly be full and satisfied with your food, you have to have some balance. You definitely need to be able to live your life to the fullest and not be stressing about what you’re eating.
Stressing about food is likely worse for your body than just eating the food you’re worrying about. My goal with clients is to teach them to eat the food, be in the moment, enjoy it, and move on. This allows you to live your life and heal your hormones without obsession.
No One Food Is Going To Ruin Your Progress
I know there are many opinions out there when it comes to nutrition and diet (probably too many 🤣). Especially when it comes to hormone healing or really any specific health condition, but what you need to realize that no one food is going to ruin your healing protocol or progress on your journey.
I see many functional practitioners touting “food as medicine,” which I do agree with, however, I think it’s important to also clarify that food that isn’t considered “medicine” is not going to make you sick. Especially if you are primarily eating functional foods.
I understand that some people have strong reactions to food such as sensitivities/allergies and these can even be specific to certain conditions (like bladder issues and endometriosis or gut issues). This is not what I’m referring to. There’s a time and place for strict healing protocols and I do use them with clients, but I am very careful with how we do it and always work to reintroduce for a healthy lifestyle.
This is a complex and nuanced topic that each person has to navigate for themselves, but I just want to put these ideas out there because our mindset and thoughts are SO powerful. I want everyone to know that they can eat the cookies, have the cup of coffee, and enjoy the dinner with a loved one because doing so will only help them. Stressing about it, feeling guilty, and berating yourself will not help your healing journey.
You have the power to enjoy your life and heal your hormones. Don’t forget that.
Learn even more about nourishing foods in my podcast episode, Nourishing Nutrition Foundations.
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